The 2016 presidential election will be remembered as many by one of the craziest elections in our nations history. Just about the only thing that everyone could agree on about this election was that no matter who won, there was going to be a lot of backlash over the results.
In a nation so divided, it seems unlikely that the two sides of the coin are going to be able to converse civilly about the issues separating us. Personally, I know that when I'm upset, it is best for me to wait until I calm down to act, otherwise I will probably do something irrational. So until the two sides have calmed down enough to reason with each other, here are some tips for not doing something that you regret in the meantime.
1. Try to actually listen (I know, what a novel concept) to why the other side voted the way they did. One of my professors gave us the assignment to sit down with someone of the other party and have a civilized conversation with them. It was truly eye-opening. While none of us like to admit that we are wrong, allow concessions where concessions are due. Or at least try to understand where the other person is coming from.
2. Be Careful What You Post On Social Media Unless someone is deliberately posting rude things onto your wall or going out of their way to harass you, don't block them or unfriend them. Intolerance for other people's ideas is a major theme of this election, and don't prove one side right by showing that you can't handle your views being challenged like an adult. If you do want to comment on something, try to avoid saying something just because it feels good. If you can't do that, scroll on. If your feed is making you question all that is good about humanity, log out, turn off your device, and go find an animal to pet. Animals > humans
3. If you're going to protest, do it peacefully While yelling obscenities about law enforcement, burning effigies, and flipping cars may seem like the rational thing to do in the heat of the moment, don't get caught up in the mob mentality. Again, don't act in a way that the other side could use to discredit you.
4. If your side DID win, don't be a sore winner Don't rub it in, and definitely don't try to invalidate people's feelings. A lot of lives could change drastically as a result of this election, and people are feeling a lot of fear and uncertainty. Don't tell people that they don't have the right to be upset right now.
Besides, people get just as upset if their team loses a sporting event, and this stuff kind of actually matters. Just saying.
5. Don't do anything racist because you feel like you can I shouldn't even have to say this, but there has been a recent uptick of hate messages spray-painted on the possessions of minorities, bullying occurrences in schools, and overall hateful acts. If you did vote for Trump, prove you did it for a real reason and not purely from a place of xenophobia.
I feel terrible even feeling the need to write this article, but I know this is something I needed to hear last week, so please just keep these suggestions in mind. We are all human beings that deserve love and respect, and it is easy to forget that.
